Chapter 20
RedHotLover: When can I see you again?
Huodou: It’s best we don’t make the same mistake twice.
RedHotLover: Mistake? It wasn’t a mistake. Tonight was the best night of my life.
RedHotLover: Are you there? You can’t just ignore me. Even with the mask, I know who you are, Professor Bardin. I’d recognize you anywhere.
Huodou: Are you threatening me, Mr. Seaborn?
RedHotLover: No way! I just want you to be honest. You had fun tonight, too. It was good for you. I wasn’t the only one who got off. I can help you get there again. No strings attached. Promise.
Huodou: And in return?
RedHotLover: Can you help get me to the King tier?
Huodou: Not with this account. I don’t want there to be any evidence that can link you back to me. Is that understood? If we do this, I’ll need your silence, Dew.
RedHotLover: Of course, Professor! Whatever you want. Just please keep seeing me.
Huodou: I’ll send you a location the next time I’m free. Meet me there within the hour, or the deal is off.
RedHotLover: Understood! Thank you! I won’t disappoint you, I swear!
* * *
RedHotLover: You looked amazing in that blue blazer today. Want to meet up?
Huodou: Not today.
RedHotLover: Then when?
Huodou: I’ll contact you when I’m free.
RedHotLover: But you’re never free!
Huodou: Dew, it’s been months since I’ve given you the King account. Use the Serendipity username to find someone to warm your bed tonight. I’m busy.
RedHotLover: With who? I know I’m the only person you’re seeing right now.
Huodou: Careful. You’re crossing lines that shouldn’t be crossed. You won’t like the consequences. We aren’t “seeing each other”. I would never date a student.
RedHotLover: Unless that student was West Corleone, right?
Huodou: Watch yourself.
RedHotLover: I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.
RedHotLover: I just hate how little you care. We’ve been doing this for months now. You really don’t feel anything for me at all? What if I really did use the Serendipity account? You’re saying you wouldn’t even be a little bit jealous?
Huodou: I gave you that account to use. This isn’t what you think it is, and it never will be. Perhaps we should put an end to it.
RedHotLover: Don’t say that! I’m sorry! I can be good, I swear!
Huodou: Then stop pestering me and stay in line. When I want you, I’ll call you. Until then, quit staring at me in class with that lovesick puppy look. If anyone catches on because you can’t keep it in your pants, only one of us will be going down. It won’t be me.
RedHotLover: I’d do anything for you. You know that.
Huodou: Except leave me alone when I tell you to.
* * *
RedHotLover: Thanks for spending Demons Passing with me. I had a great time! I’ve never come so many times in my life!
* * *
RedHotLover: I gave the Serendipity account to a friend. You don’t mind, right?
Huodou: What you do with it is your business.
RedHotLover: Thanks.
* * *
RedHotLover: I think someone saw us the other night.
Huodou: What makes you say that?
RedHotLover: I’ve been getting this weird vibe from one of the girls in my class.
Huodou: A vibe? Come to me when you have proof.
RedHotLover: I’m serious.
Huodou: So am I. I don’t have time for another one of your games. If you want my attention so badly, come to my office in an hour. You can put that ridiculous mouth of yours to better use than spinning stories.
RedHotLover: You promise?
Huodou: If you’re really good, maybe I’ll even put you over my desk afterward.
RedHotLover: I’ll be there!
* * *
RedHotLover: She definitely saw us that night.
Huodou: Who?
RedHotLover: Iris Cherith.
Huodou: I’ll speak to her.
RedHotLover: You sure? I could always make sure she stays quiet.
Huodou: Do not resort to violence. No one has to get hurt. Iris is a bright girl. I’m sure she’ll see reason.
RedHotLover: Do you…Do you like her?
Huodou: I refuse to entertain this ridiculous conversation a moment longer.
RedHotLover: No, no you have to tell me!
RedHotLover: Beck? Beck, be so for real right now. Answer me.
RedHotLover: I’ll go straight to the Dean and tell him everything!
Huodou: Go right ahead. It’ll be your word against mine.
Huodou: And we’ll be over.
RedHotLover: I didn’t mean it. I won’t. I’m sorry. You know how I feel about you.
Huodou: And you know who I have feelings for. It isn’t Iris Cherith.
RedHotLover: No, but it isn’t me either.
* * *
Huodou: Iris promised not to say anything. Stop acting like a psychopath in front of her. You’re making it noticeable.
RedHotLover: She did? How’d you get her to agree to that?
Huodou: Simple. I just lied and said we were in love and couldn’t wait two years for you to graduate to be together. She’s softhearted, and she can relate to having to sneak around to be with the one she cares for.
RedHotLover: What do you mean? Who is she in a secret relationship with?
Huodou: Don’t play dumb. I know all about what you and Juri Ferd have been doing with that poor girl.
RedHotLover: It’s not what it looks like! I have nothing to do with it! I’m only helping Juri out because it’d be suspicious if I didn’t. I didn’t want him finding out about you and me. That’s all. I swear, I’ve never done anything to harm West. I know you’d never forgive me if I did!
RedHotLover: Please, Beck. You have to believe me.
Huodou: I do.
RedHotLover: Thank you.
RedHotLover: Wait, how did you find out?
Huodou: I had to investigate her after you said she saw us. Obviously it was easy to discover from there. Don’t worry. I won’t interfere.
RedHotLover: You won’t? Why not?
Huodou: You can’t honestly believe your friends are a threat to the Demons, can you? What they’re doing is child's play. Eventually, they’ll get caught. If you care about him, I suggest you warn Juri from continuing down this road.
RedHotLover: Juri? Juri is just a friend, like you said.
RedHotLover: You’re the only one I care about. If you’re not worried, I’m not either.
* * *
RedHotLover: I saw you with West.
Huodou: Good morning to you, too, Dew.
RedHotLover: You know what I’m talking about. The two of you were in your office after hours. He was asleep on your couch. You ran your fingers through his hair.
Huodou: He was exhausted after practice. I didn’t break any rules. I’m not sure what you’re so worked up about.
RedHotLover: You’ve never looked at me the way you look at him.
Huodou: This again? You said you understood.
RedHotLover: He hasn’t been going home because Yejun keeps inviting Iris over.
He’s been spending all that extra time with you because of that.
Is that why you were all right with it? You don’t care that Juri and Iris are plotting against the Demons because it means you can take advantage and be with West more?
Huodou: Plotting is a strong word.
RedHotLover: What would you call it then? She’s tricked Yejun into thinking she cares about him and is drugging him!
Huodou: She’s giving him a strong over-the-counter sedative.
His life isn’t at risk. If it wasn’t her and Juri, it’d be someone else.
There hasn’t been a Demon in history who didn’t draw the unwanted attention of one person or another.
When I was a student, a member of the waif team slipped itching powder into our air vents.
It took a week and a deep clean from professionals to get rid of it all.
RedHotLover: I never heard about that. What happened to the student who did it?
Huodou: He was expelled. Last I heard, he’d gotten his degree at a different university and was working in some tech firm.
RedHotLover: That’s all?
Huodou: My friend Fair might have also broken nine of his fingers.
RedHotLover: …Why only nine?
Huodou: He only had nine. He’d lost one as a kid in a riding accident.
RedHotLover: You can’t keep taking advantage and spending all of this time with West.
Huodou: Can’t I?
RedHotLover: Please, Beck. I’ll do whatever you want. Be whatever you want. Just give me a chance.
Huodou: You’ll never be him, Dew.
* * *
Huodou: Did you get my father involved?
Huodou: Answer me.
Huodou: All right. If that’s how you want things to be. I’m coming to your dorm. If you aren’t there, I’ll hunt you down and tear you a new one.
* * *
RedHotLover: Are you still mad?
Huodou: No.
* * *
RedHotLover: I miss you.
Huodou: Yes, well, thanks to someone, I have a lot less time on my hands.
RedHotLover: You promised you weren’t mad anymore.
Huodou: I’m not.
RedHotLover: Then come fuck me.
RedHotLover: I’m in your room.
RedHotLover: Naked.
RedHotLover: Wet.
Huodou: Stay there. Don’t get caught.
RedHotLover: Your cleaning lady already left for the day. Don’t worry. No one will ever know I’ve been in your bed, Professor Bardin. 3 3
* * *
RedHotLover: Did you hear about what happened in the cafeteria?
Yejun and West completely crippled that guy!
What absolute trash! Seriously, someone needs to do something about this group of Demons!
They’re completely out of hand, and no one is doing anything to reprimand them.
I heard they only spent fifteen minutes in the Dean’s office before being excused!
RedHotLover: If they weren’t both famous, they’d be thrown into jail like the rest of us! Who cares if one is a world-renowned artist and the other is about to go pro? Actually, that’s even worse! West is using his skills to hurt people!
Huodou: Keep your opinions to yourself. If I find out you’re going around campus smearing their names, I’ll flunk you.
RedHotLover: Their names, or West’s?
Huodou: Dew. I’m serious. Don’t push me.
RedHotLover: Fine. But can I see you before the end of finals? I know you said you were too busy before, but…
Huodou: All right. Eleven. Don’t be late.